Sponsor the New Ox Team!

March 21, 2008

Dear Friends,

Hare Krishna!

On this auspicious day, Gaura Purnima, we are dedicating this March update letter to ISCOWP’s new ox team!

In honor of our first ox team Vraja and Gita passing away, ISCOWP has arranged for a new Brahman ox team to come to the ISCOWP farm. Your help is needed to acquire them and name them!

We have found a breeder of registered Brahman cows whose family has been breeding them for 3 generations. Bill Fenn handles his cows as if they are members of his family. He is excited to help us find two bull calves equal in size and temperament who would give us a matched pair for our new ox tem. Actually, we just got a phone call from the breeder and he says he has a nicely matched pair available in late April!

The friendly gentle pair that will be available in late April.

Why a Brahman ox team? According to the Ayurvedas, which is the section of the Vedas concerning medicine, there is a nerve in the hump on the back of Brahman cow which draws energy from the sun into the cow’s body and converts it to potent urine and dung full of medicinal qualities. We would like to make medicines from this ox team’s dung and urine to help support cow protection. This would be a first in North America although a widespread practice in India.

There are other characteristics of the Brahman cows that makes them a good choice for us as explained at http://www.brahman.org/links.html

 “A factor which contributes to the Brahman's unique ability to withstand temperature extremes is a short, thick, glossy hair coat which reflects much of the sun's rays, allowing them to graze in midday sun without suffering. In severe winters, Brahmans grow a protective covering of long, coarse hair beneath which a dense, downy, fur-like undercoat can be found. An abundance of loose skin, characteristic of the breed, also aids in its ability to withstand warm weather by increasing the body surface area exposed to cooling. In cold weather the skin is contracted, increasing the thickness of the hide and density of the hair, which aids in retaining body heat. A special feature of the Brahman breed is their ability over other breeds to sweat freely, which contributes greatly to their heat tolerance.

Brahmans are recognized for intelligence and desired disposition. They are very responsive to kindness and are quite gentle when handled properly.”

Here is a letter from Bill Fenn who is located near Houston, Texas, 2,800 miles round trip from ISCOWP farm.

I too enjoyed visiting with you last night.  Thanks for the great photos!  I didn't tell you that I am kind of particular about who I sell my cattle too because I need to know that they will be going to a good home.  Everyone who has my cattle love them. We could tell right off that they would be in good hands with you.  I now have no doubts that yours is the best home (away from my home) that they could hope for. You don't know how happy I would be to see a pair of my guys working together with you.  I am glad to know you and will stay in touch.  I am always excited about new babies, but I'm hoping for a special pair for you.

We are excited about the rejuvenation of the herd and we hope you are too. Not only will we have a working team for the farm and cow medicines, but we will also have a team to once again travel and preach. Whatever you can give towards this rejuvenation will be greatly appreciated. The two donors with the largest donation will get to name an ox and we will all get to watch them grow and become a working and traveling team.

Here is what it would take to acquire the new ox team. Preliminary trip to breeder has already been paid for by you, our donors. Due to fluctuating gas prices we are presenting a sliding scale for travel. It will take two people to bring them to the ISCOWP farm.

NEW OX TEAM          

Check out this link to learn  how you can help.

Thanking you in advance,

Balabhadra and Chayadevi

(William E. Dove and Irene M. Dove)

ISCOWP Managing Directors